Welcome to Gaia! ::

Ryuuko watched with apparent interest as Rosette sat near the small pond by their home, cleaning her armor. Many times Chrono offered to do it, just a simple spell and it would be as good as new. But Rosette, being paranoid of the worse, wouldn't allow him to even use magic near her armor in case something went wrong and she was left with bits of scrap metal. Now, this wasn't anything a bit of water and an old rag couldn't fix.

"There!" She said proudly, admiring the almost binding shine from her violet tinted armor. She was equally proud of the effort she'd put into getting it that exact color, but how that is so is another story.

"Well, if anything, we ca blind our enemies into submission."Ryuuko joked, his large golden eyes showing his content.

"Ha ha, very funny, Ryuuko. Just help me dry it off. A quick puff of hot ar show do it."

Ryuuko took a quick breath, expelling hot air from his nostrils to deliver a stream of hot air. Of course, being who he was, he purposely overdid it. The end was result was Rosette sprawled out on her back in the shallows of the pond. IN her mind, Rosette could easily heard Ryuuko's echoing laughter.

"You are SO lucky you're not little anymore!" Rosette sputtered as she got out of the water. "If you weren't this big I'd-"

Both Dragon and Rider looked to their left and far away, their senses picking up the clearly audible roar of Tyrkennen.

"Great! Just great! I look like a dorwned rat now!"

"But a very pretty drowned rat."

"Sucking up is not help the situation! Chrono! Come on, we gotta go!" Rosette yelled to her other friend, who was mending some other clothes Rosette had managed to destroy during her many train sessions.

"What? Rosette, I don't think I'm allowed to-"

"Nonesense, if they have a problem with it, they can take it up with me!" She assured him."Let's just go before we're late!"

"What about your clothes?"

"I've never been knowed to have a flattering or awe-inspire appearance, no reason to start now!" She beamed, climbing onto Ryuuko's back. "Besides, I have my riding jacket up here! I can cover up the wet shirt that way, and the rolled up pants are nothing!"

Chrono, dressed in a simple green tunic and brown pants, merely sighed as he climbed up behind Rosette, their bare feet dangling over the sides. He never could guess why she like flying so dangerously.

With a sudden jolt that nearly unseated him, Chrono wrapped his arms tightly around Rosette's middle as Ryuuko took o, soaring, duipping, and diving the hole way.

"Stop making him do tricks!" Chrono objeted.

"But I'll get dry faster!" Rosette laughed as Ryuuko rolled in mid air.

After several minutes of this action, Chrono was beyong relief as they began to descend into the bowl-shaped dome.

Ryuuko had only just touched down carefully as Rosette leapt from his back, Chrono still clinging to her midle. She landed soundlessly and straightened up as Chrono let go, and immediately sat down.

"Hey! Kyala! Tyrkennen!" She said loudly as she waved at them. "Oh! Cali! Tanneth!"

Rosette had always been an opening friendly person, and took the liberty of memorizing all of her fellow riders and dragons names.

Ryuuko dipped his massive head respectfully, and settled himself in for whatever was to happen now.

"Greetings, all."

"Fie..."

Moaning, the call was ignored with a shift to one side.

"Fieryn."

Though this time louder, a response was not yet met by anything but a grunt of disapproval.

"RUNT!"

To this, the young lady shot up from her sheets and opened her eyes in a bewildered fashion. Scraps of metal, wood, and other things bounced on her bed as she jolted, and with quick eyes she scanned the cluttered room before mumbling to herself at realizing the alarm call's owner.

"Curizon...you know I hate it when you call me that."

Chuckling to himself from outside on her balcony, he stretched and then tucked in his wings besides himself.

"I had to do something to awaken you. If not, you would have slept all day. Did you work until you were exhausted again, last night? You must have to have slept through the summons that has been voiced for the past while."

Sitting up, she stretched her arms and legs outwards with an equally stretched yawn. Asides undergarments and her headband, all she wore was a long cotton shirt- but unfitting in such a way to suggest that it was a man's. And as if it were her morning coffee, she wrapped her arms around herself to take it in the scent of the shirt and sighed slightly in content. A shy smile followed as she explained herself.

"I couldn't help myself...I worked so something could be done today, and- SUMMONS?! What summons?"

Jumping to her feet, she frantically turned to face the flowing curtain that seperated her rooms from her balcony.

"Yes, as I said- a summons. And if I am not mistaken, it was quite a one of urgency from Tyrkennen. We should really hurry so we can get going."

Panicking, Fieryn threw off the shirt and started rushing to assemble her own clothes- bothered immensely by her locks of ebony hair getting in her way of getting dressed. Why did she decide to take her braids out all of a sudden? As she hopped around into her garments, she knocked into many of her oddments and creations, and stepped over several of her trinkets as well. Fieryn Tukoberson was a master of the junkyard, a scavenger of ordinary things that she could weld and transform to be the most extraordinary things. Her work lined the floors, the walls, tables, and furniture of her quarters- her furniture being her metal and cloth handiwork itself. Thus, it also a total mess that made it often hard to maneuver around in- but the girl was too in love with her passion of invention to notice or care. Speaking of love, though on the other side of her wall, Curizon's lips curved into a knowing smirk as he listened to Fieryn's hasty dressing routine.

"Sooner or later, you know...young master Cain will wonder where his shirt went."

Jerking her head with a pout, she yanked her pants up as she also grabbed for her boots.

"Shush you, Curi...I just, like the way he smells..."

Feeling her cheeks tinge with a faint blush, she scurried along as her devious mind began to betray her with thoughts of the young man. For years she had been smitten for him, and for years had never been able to express to him how she felt. Vocally, anyway. The reflection brought her nimble fingers across her latest creation on a large, wooden table- a heart-shaped box wrought from wire and driftwood. Sensing her heart skip over the object, Curizon lightly joked as he always did after becoming accustomed to this ritual of hers.

"Is it that time again? One of these days, you should really just tell him of your feelings. Or, actually give whatever gift you craft directly to him. It might get the message across better. Would you like me to time you? You will have to be quick though, as we are pressed for our seconds. Just don't rush it enough where it is like the coat rack fiasco all over again."

Fieryn's method of gift delivery was reliabley the same each time, where she would check to see that no one was around, sprint to his door, leave the item in question, and then flee from the scene. The entrance to Cain's quarters was reasonably close to her own, so she usually made the trip incident-free. She could remember everything she had ever made for him, beginning with one of her signature windchimes. From then, a wide-variety of practicalities were left- ranging from silverware to chests. Upon each gift she would carve his initials, CL, with as much elegance and care as she treated the rest of the object. The legendary coat-rack incident was a time wherein she was almost spotted by him, causing her to trip over the rack and drag it a ways from his door. She was never entirely sure if he had received it.
But now, with this box boldly designed to signify her affection, she was at once both confident and nervous as a train wreck. Advancing to her door, her dragon-mate paused her determination by presenting one of their games to her to ensure she do something.

"Wait! Before you go...a five-lettered object awaits your embrace. Rosy-cheeked with toughened hide, it holds a sweetness deep inside."

Halting her gait, Fieryn began to dissect the riddle throughly.

"Hmm. Awaiting embrace, must mean that's in this room..."
Her gaze flickered around before she caught something on the table.
"Ah! Apple!"

Grasping it, she took a bite and chippered up.

"Thank you, Curizon. I know I forget to eat sometimes, so..."

Her stomach growled as she nervously laughed and took another n**, returning to her mission.

"I will be right back, I promise."

Curizon rolled his clear eyes with a snicker, resting his head down upon the balcony. What a silly, lovable girl that one was...

Glancing around the corridor, Fieryn made sure that she was in the clear. All seemed good. With a short breath, she began her sprint and even took another bite of the fruit as she clutched the box beside her. Then, at the threshold she had visited many a time before, she carefully placed the box down and turned to run back.
She did not stop running when she swung into her rooms, but rather threw the apple back on her table and out through the sky blue drape that took her to her dragon. Although her quarters were smaller than most, the expanse of her balcony provided ample compensation and was the resting place for her beloved partner and the home of her many windchimes. Hundreds of them lined this outside area, each her own beautiful and unique workmanship. She climbed onto Curizon as if she had just robbed a palace, and was eager to get away.

"All right, Curi! Let's go!"

Chuckling again, the magnificent maroon creature flapped his wings and carried them through the sky to roundabout to the meeting at the cavern.

"My dear Fie, you know that I am apt to wonder. And most of the time...it is about what I am going to do with you."

Perking a brow as she began to braid back her hair, she stuck out her tongue and answered him by another game they often played.

"Dragon, Dragon who ponders here
What is it you have to fear?"

Not missing a beat, Curizon retorted with his calm inflexion.

"Rider, rider it is my care
That a crush and junk be your sepulcher."

Smirking herself, she stroked the side of his neck as they neared their destination.

"You worry too much about me. But...actually, I wouldn't want it any other way."

Landing in the nearest perch as they reached the assembly, Curizon rested his wings and reveled in the love he shared with his rider. Fieryn dismounted, clumsily, and stood beside him as she looked below to see Tyrkennen and Kyala in the center of the cavern bottom. This looked important indeed, as Curizon nodded respectfully to the others at their arrival.

Kyala and Tyrkennen greeted each Rider by name as they entered the vast chamber and wondered at those who were not yet arrived. "Torokal still has trouble with that ice of his," Tyrkennen grinned slightly and she let herself smile with him. "It is an invaluable skill against the Southern invaders who so detest the cold. It will shock them to icy pieces. I look forward to testing Fieryn~Curizon and Cain~Veraldimir's valuable scouting skills. They shall be put to good use this day." Tyrkennen nodded slightly and tilted his head up to the many tiers. "Perhaps it would be wise to stall for the rest, for now."

Kyala sighed at his deliberate wisdom and spoke loudly enough so that her voice would echo upwards to the assembled Riders of new and old. "Friends, masters of air and flame..." she paused and nodded her head slightly, "and of ice...We gather now to confront our age old enemies and scour them from our lands. Are we ready with tooth and lance to stand as Riders and become the symbol of hope and light we have worked long and hard to be?"

Tyrkennen now added his brassy voice, his wings flaring outward in a flash of silver and ivory. "Ready to fly to fight and to triumph over the gross evil that has plauged our hearts for so long? Dragon's feel the evil like a shadow on their souls. That shadow is to be lifted!"

In a surge of pride Kyala raised her sliver and black gleaming lance aloft. "I, your BattleLance, have called you here at last to fight. Are we ready?!"

Rosette scrambled for her weapon, only to have Chrono hand it over to her since he was already carrying most of her gear. She raised her lance and gave a loud vitories yell, while Ryuuko flapped his wings and snorted loudly out his nose.

"Our paths have been carved out fate, our valor will be tested...!"

"Our foes will fear our yells and our roars, death will not befall us until they are destroyed!"

((oh dear, an oath? Are we supposed to say a certain thing? I'm just made one up as I went along xDDD)

Shaking in anticipation. Cain listened to Kyala's speech, the echoing impact of the words pinching his nerves in every possible way. It was finally time. It was one thing to practice for engagement with an enemy, exchaning fake blows for years with allies whom you knew would never hurt you. Fighting real enemies was something else entirely. It was true, the mission started the minute that each Rider met with their Dragon. But while training in seclusion, you tend to forget what goes on outside. That is, until someone reminds you of your duty.

Veraldimir watched Cain tiredly, wondering if he should snap his partner out of his imagined nervousness. Deep down Veraldimir knew his partner was excited, and nothing could keep Cain from doing what he knew he had to. He had to hand it to the human, he did have a strong sense of loyalty. Veraldimir only hoped that he would get time to prove it... Cain looked ready to fall over any second.

" I don't think you'll be able to saveanyone trembling like that." Veraldimir told his partner matter-of-factly."What are you? A girl? I mean, I've had my suspicions since day one, but honestly...."

Cain looked over at Veraldimir with a glare that could melt icebergs, which soon floated away with all of his anxiety, a grin forming in its stead. It may have been stupid, but sometimes Veraldmir's quips were the only thing to get him back on track. "and this is coming from a pink dragon..." he grumbled fakely, turning to watch everyone else once more, noting his partner's approving glance from the corner of his eye.

All of a sudden, a cheer went up from the crowd, and each pair began to say their own oaths. "I suppose we should join them then. Could I pursuade you to wear some armor? Just this once?"

Cain kept his smile, grabbing his lance from the ground where it sat next to a small, well-crafted box in an equally well-crafted heart shape. "Not a chance," he replied levelly.

"All right then. Just don't come crying to me when you get hurt..."

Cain raised his lance high in the air, and Veraldimir stretched his wings, both letting loose a yell to join the united call of triumph throughout the room. Excitement surged through the pair, both knowing that the justice the world deserved was close at hand.

"Within duty we find honor, to sharpen our lances...!"
"Within darkness we find hope, to strengthen our allegience!"

Curizon and Fieryn listened intently to the mental call to remain, and then to the personal summons.

"Four?" Fieryn wondered, looking to her Dragon. Curizon nodded with a knowing smile, eyeing the other pair for a quick moment for his Rider's eyes to follow. But they looked away with a crimson face as soon as the senses hit her.

"Ah...of course. For our great, scout work."

Suddenly becoming self-conscious, she patted at her face. Was there any soot or grease from her work there? She did not remember cleaning it this morning, and if she were to be next to Cain...

"Come now, Fie. You look just fine- there is no need to hesitate."

With a cute nod, she climbed back onto her Dragon so they could descend into the cavern just before Kyala and Tyrkennen. Fieryn did not know the pair that well besides the fact that they were strong and kind, but it did seem befitting they should reign as BattleLance. Their speech itself was confident in leadership. Whereas the two were ideal, she thought a moment of her own shortcomings and became uneasy about herself. She had to be the strangest girl in their entire Hatch-Group, hardly leaving her room asides what was required to build her mountains of assorted knicknacks and tools. She also did not speak a word her entire first year at the Mountain. It was for an understandable reason, but as most of the others did not know why she also undersood why they made no superhuman efforts to be social with her. As this insecurity began to cloud her eyes, Curizon lifted his neck up just enough to smack hers and she was retrieved from her pool of doubt. In his ethereal and clear blue eyes she could tell that he was right, and turned her heart back to beat alike with his in a warm smile. Of all the things she loved in this world, (besides Cain), Curizon's eyes were her favorite. Even if in the midst of Hell she knew that she would feel at home within them, and lovingly she stroked the top of his eyeridge before he landed celestially at the front of the dais. Fieryn carefully dismounted this time, feeling a refreshed concentration for her mission. With a delighed beam Dragon and Rider stood to await their orders.

As soon as their calls and oaths were finished with and they were dismissed, Rosette tossed her lance aside, and purely out of habit, Ryuuko caught it in his jaws and ready himself for a quick rest while Rosette went to speak with Kyala. She'd been meaning to talk to her for age about her own situation, but oddly enough, it was hard to find the time.

"Come on." She told Chrono as she grabbed his wrist. The two ran along the stony steps, taking a quick leap every once in a while to clear a quick handful or so. It didn't take them long to get to the central platuea where Kyala stood with her dragon, Tyrkennen.

"Kyala?"

Ryuuko, whom was still holding Rosette's lance in his moth, turned a golden-eye look to Tyrkennen.

"Maybe you could talk to her, though I sure she's dead set on bringing him along. He's quite useful."